"Woe to me if I preach not the gospel."

[Below is an overture that I just sent to the clerk of our presbytery (Ohio Presbytery) for consideration at our meeting this Saturday.]

Whereas,

this body represents the Lord Jesus and the members of PCA churches in the central and northern regions of Ohio;

the word of God has the power to act as a civil restraint; and

the members of the Ohio Senate have acted the Ohio Senate as a body has acted contrary to the Word of God in not protecting human life created in the image of God as is evidenced by their delaying the vote for and passage of the Heartbeat Bill, which would prevent abortions the moment a heartbeat is detected and so save thousands of innocents a year in our state;

Therefore, let it be resolved that the Ohio Presbytery publicly rebuke and admonish her esteemed state senators by sending the attached letter to…

Instruct them in the rightful duty of public officers to act as God’s ministers to protect her citizenry;

Call them to repent of their dilatory attitudes in regards to the Heartbeat Bill and this vital matter of rightfully preserving the lives of unborn Ohioans, created in the image of God,

Direct them to demonstrate this penitence by swiftly bringing to the floor and unanimously passing the Heartbeat Bill.

To our Esteemed Senators, February 4, 2012

We, the members and representatives of the Ohio Presbytery, do greet you in the strong Name of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. We also send you our deepest regards and express our great appreciation for your faithful service to the people of Ohio.

Nevertheless, it is with great grief that we write to you today. For we understand that the lives of unborn children are lost daily because you delay in bringing to the floor the legislation known as Heartbeat Bill.

The Word of God clearly indicates that it is the duty of public magistrates to do all that is within their power to protect and preserve the lives of the people under their authority. While it is your duty to uphold justice for all who reside within the boundaries of this state, it is especially incumbent upon you to maintain the cause of those citizens who are the weakest and most frail.

We, the elders and ministers of Christ’s church, wish to remind you of this charge that God has bestowed upon you. Moreover, we send this message to you today as a public rebuke for your dilatory acts on this vital piece of legislation.

On this the fourth day of February in the year of our Lord 2012, we call you to repent of your slothful attitudes in regards to this bill and your negligence towards those children who are daily being killed. We do summons you to show this penitent spirit by ceasing to delay the vote on and passage of the Heartbeat Bill.

You must remember that the King of Kings holds the men of earth accountable for their actions. He will by no means permit the guilt of bloodshed to go unpunished. Therefore it is incumbent upon you, our senators, to fulfill your divinely appointed calling by seeing to it that innocent blood is no longer spilt.

You may be assured that the Judge of the earth is good and abundant in mercy. When men turn from evil and do what is right in His eyes, He prolongs their days and feeds them with gladness. He promises kindness to those who fear Him and restores the fortunes of those who seek his face.

Be it then resolved in your hearts that you heed this admonition and uphold the commandments of God. Cease to sin against Him any longer and do that which is right.

With deepest affection,

The Members and Representatives of the churches belonging to Christ in the Ohio Presbytery